MILF Manor is an American reality television series that premiered January 15, 2023, on TLC.[1] The first season of the show featured eight single women between the ages of 40 and 60 living in a villa in Mexico to pursue romantic relationships with eight single men several decades younger. In the first season, the show focuses on the men in question being the women's sons.

MILF Manor
GenreReality
Created by
  • Anna Edwinson
  • Nick Bullen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes21
Production
Running time42 minutes
Production companies
  • Spun Gold
  • Lionsgate Television
Original release
NetworkTLC
ReleaseJanuary 15, 2023 (2023-01-15) –
present

A second season premiered on April 28, 2024. [2] The premise shifted slightly; the single women were pursued by younger men and their fathers.[3]

Premise

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Eight pairs of mothers and sons travel to a villa in Mexico to look for love. Upon arrival, the contestants are told that the sixteen contestants were to romantically pursue each other. The announcement is a surprise to the contestants; one contestant, April, stated that she thought her son would be on a separate retreat instead of in her dating pool.[4]

The contestants perform challenges each episode. In the first episode, the blindfolded women have to identify their son by feeling the men's shirtless torsos, and the winner of the challenge receives a night in one of the suites with a hot tub.[5][6] Each mother-son pair shares a room. In the second episode, the contestants guess each other's deepest sex secrets, and one of the women reveals that she has had sex with her son's best friend.[7] The fourth episode introduces elimination to the program, as one mother-son duo is kicked off, and the fifth episode introduces a new mother-son duo (Lisa/Ryan S) to take their place.

The show's title refers to the acronym "MILF", meaning "Mother I'd Like to Fuck", though the show's definition of MILF leans closer to the idea of a cougar, in which an older woman actively pursues younger men, whereas the term "MILF" only implies the sexual attractiveness of the woman and not her own romantic/sexual tendencies.[citation needed]

The second season takes place in a lakefront chalet[8] and instead features the younger men (ages 21 to 27) competing against their own fathers (ages 51 to 57) for the same pool of women.[9]

Cast

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Season 1

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Mother Age Son Age Description
Charlene DeCicco 46 Harrison Bock 23 They live in Los Angeles and previously lived in Hammonton, New Jersey.[10] Charlene works in the hospitality industry. Harrison is a college football player and a former male entertainer.
Shannan Diggs 51 Ryan Jovan 30 Shannan is an event planner from Atlanta who was married for 18 years.[11] Ryan worked in social media marketing and now is pursuing a career in music.
Kelle Mortensen 51 Joey Buford 20 Kelle lives in Orange County and works as a real estate broker, fitness coach, and a self-proclaimed "Disco Mommy." She has six children including Joey, who is a bartender and aspiring real estate agent.[12][11]
April Marie Watson 44 Ricky Snyder 26 April is an insurance representative and an event planner[13] and Ricky works for the United States Postal Service. Both live in Detroit.[11]
Stefany Johnson 47 Billy 28 Stefany is a paralegal and realtor. She moved from Lima to Los Angeles when she was 8.[11] Billy is pursuing a career in real estate and always dates older women.[14]
SoYoung 51 Jimmy Kristensen 26 SoYoung works as a surgical nurse who specializes in heart surgery and lives outside of New Orleans.[11] Jimmy is a model and actor. Previously, he was in the army.
Pola Mochon 48 Jose Mizrahi 28 Pola is a former ballerina who owns a gym in Miami. Her husband died in a car accident when her children were young.[15] She is from Mexico and prefers to speak Spanish.[11] Her son Jose works with her in the fitness industry and also is an actor and television host.
April Jayne 60 Gabriel Jayne 23 April Jayne is a personal trainer whose fiancé died in 2022. Gabriel is in a rock band with his brother and father. Both live in Los Angeles.[11]
Lisa Wilcox 59 Ryan Sherman 26 Lisa is an actress best known for her role as Alice Johnson in the A Nightmare On Elm Street films and Ryan is a software engineer.

Season 2

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Mother Age Description
Barby 45 Barby is a former stripper who currently works as a marketing executive.[16] She is originally from Mexico City.
Christina 46 Christina is a public relations executive who was married for twenty years.[17]
Crystal 48 Crystal is a makeup artist. She has four sons, one of whom was killed in a shootout.[18]
Jami 51 Jami is a dance instructor who has been divorced twice.[19]
Kelly Mac 59 Kelly is a pilates instructor[20] who immigrated from Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon.[21]
Lannette 50 Lannette is an account manager.[22]
Rebecca 48 Rebecca is a fitness model and insurance agent.
Shauna 44 Shauna is an artist who was married for eighteen years.
Father Age Son Age Description
Anthony 54 Joey 21 Anthony owns an Italian restaurant. Joey is an event promoter.[23]
Darren 57 Sam 24 Darren is a recent divorcée who sells private jets.[24]
Ashley 54 Jacob 23 Ashley is an athletics coach and former professional rugby player. Jacob is a former semi-professional cricket player. Both are from England.[25]
Stacy 54 Miles 24 Stacy is an entrepreneur. Miles is a vegan chef and personal trainer. The two have a distant relationship.[26]
Michael 51 Christopher 27 Chris is a professional MMA fighter.[27]

Episodes

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Series overview

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
19January 15, 2023 (2023-01-15)March 19, 2023 (2023-03-19)
212April 28, 2024 (2024-04-28)July 14, 2024 (2024-07-14)

Season 1 (2023)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
11"MILF Said Knock You Out"January 15, 2023 (2023-01-15)0.92[28]
The eight moms are introduced, alongside the twist that the younger men in their dating pool consist of their sons. For the episode's challenge, the moms take turns feeling up the shirtless men while blindfolded, seeing who can identify their son the fastest.
22"Your MILF Should Know"January 22, 2023 (2023-01-22)0.75[29]
Each contestant must anonymously post a sexual secret on a corkboard and guess which one belongs to their mother or son, with the goal being for each pair to stump each other. The winning sons get a date with a mom of their choice. During the challenge, SoYoung reveals that she had sex with Jimmy's best friend, which leaves him shaken up.
33"Your MILF Don't Dance"January 29, 2023 (2023-01-29)0.62[30]
The contestants must try to wow each other by performing a mother-son dance routine, with the winning pair earning a date at a nightclub.
44"She's a Bad MILF Jama"February 5, 2023 (2023-02-05)0.56[31]
The contestants have a round of speed-dating and are scored based on how much they click with each other. The first elimination takes place after this challenge, with April W. and Ricky being the pair to head home.
55"MILF I'm a Big Boy Now"February 19, 2023 (2023-02-19)0.62[32]
Lisa and Ryan S. join the villa and get acquainted with the others. For this episode's challenge, the mothers must quiz their sons in Sex Ed.
66"MILF Told Me Not To Come"February 26, 2023 (2023-02-26)0.65[33]
With everyone blindfolded, the sons must give the mothers a massage, earning a score based on their performance.
77"MILF's Broken Heart"March 5, 2023 (2023-03-05)0.67[34]
The moms and sons must sort through a pile of dirty laundry and try to identify each other's underwear. Following this, everyone must choose their match, with the risk of getting sent home if the feeling is not mutual.
88"I Ain't Your MILF"March 12, 2023 (2023-03-12)0.61[35]
The remaining couples –– Ryan and Pola, Kelle and José, Joey and April J., and Stefany and Gabriel –– have to receive an appraisal from outside sources, in the form of the mothers' friends and family members.
99"I'll Always Love My MILF"March 19, 2023 (2023-03-19)0.70[36]
The remaining contestants have to write letters to their partners, deciding whether they want to continue their relationship outside of the villa. Everyone decides to stay together, while April J. lets Joey down gently and offers to remain friends.

Season 2 (2024)

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
101"MILFstruck"April 28, 2024 (2024-04-28)0.46[37]
The moms and younger men are introduced to the chalet and each other. The first challenge involves the group breaking off into pairs (aside from Barby acting as host), pouring maple syrup onto each other, and seeing who can drip the largest amount into a jar in order to win a date. The episode ends with the men's fathers showing up to compete with them for the women.
112"MILFA Mia"May 5, 2024 (2024-05-05)0.44[38]
The fathers properly introduce themselves and settle into the chalet, garnering a mixed reception among the fellow contestants. For this episode's challenge, the fathers and sons see who can wow the women via a team striptease.
123"She's All MILF"May 12, 2024 (2024-05-12)0.54[39]
Kelle returns from Season 1 and chooses to take Joey and Anthony on a tantric yoga date. Jami confesses to Christina that she has a boyfriend outside of the chalet, and the secret quickly spreads around.
134"MILF's Just Not That Into You"May 19, 2024 (2024-05-19)0.50[40]
Jami leaves the manor after her secret is revealed. The remaining contestants (barring Darren, who picks Stacy as his stand-in) later mud-wrestle to see who can grab their flag first, with the loser having to reveal a dirty secret. The two fastest winners get to pick a date.
145"How To Lose a MILF in 10 Days"May 26, 2024 (2024-05-26)0.39[41]
While the contestants are all enjoying a day at the beach, a pair of new men show up: nephew Connor and uncle David, who choose to take Kelle and Christina on a double date. Meanwhile, a love triangle starts to form between Barby, Jacob, and Chris.
156"Failure to MILF"June 2, 2024 (2024-06-02)0.45[42]
The women have to take turns texting sexy selfies to the men they feel they have the strongest connection to. Four of the men––Jacob, Ashley, Michael, and Miles––end up not receiving a sext and are thus eliminated.
167"Along Came MILF'y"June 9, 2024 (2024-06-09)0.55[43]
Shauna and Rebecca enter the manor, threatening some of the existing connections. Rebecca hosts the next challenge, in which the men pair up with their hands cuffed behind their backs, seeing who can eat watermelon from between the women's legs the fastest. The winning team earns a double-date with the women of their choice.
178"MILFless"June 16, 2024 (2024-06-16)0.47[44]
Joey and Anthony go on a body-painting double date with Shauna and Rebecca. This episode's challenge involves the men sticking their rear ends through holes, as the women take turns removing their blindfolds and trying to determine whose buttocks are whose. Barby makes more correct guesses than the others and scores a date with Chris. Amidst everything, an ire is raised against Rebecca, who is hitting on every man in the chalet.
189"Runaway MILF"June 23, 2024 (2024-06-23)0.57[45]
Chris and Barby go on a date at a winery. Kelle and Christina confront Rebecca over her promiscuity. A heartbroken Lannette decides to leave the chalet after seeing Anthony get close to Rebecca.
1910"Mean MILFs"June 30, 2024 (2024-06-30)0.54[46]
While everyone reacts to the news from the previous night, uncle and nephew duo Rob and Fletcher join the manor. The older and younger men compete to see who can give the women's questions superior answers, with the losing team having to clean up the chalet. Chris is hurt by one of Barby's answers and gives her the cold shoulder, offending her into leaving.
2011"MILF Actually"July 7, 2024 (2024-07-07)0.51[47]
Chris apologizes to Barby and convinces her to stay. The next day, a friend or family member of each of the women arrives to appraise their current relationships. Barby and Kelle have a falling out, prompting Barby and Chris to leave the chalet to focus on their relationship without any distractions.
2112"A MILF To Remember"July 14, 2024 (2024-07-14)0.50[48]
The remaining contestants take a questionnaire to determine how compatible they are in their current relationships. Sam and Fletcher are eliminated after not finding a match. Shauna voluntarily leaves after realizing that Joey isn't what she truly wants, prompting him to leave as well. Afterwards, the women and men separate to contemplate whether they want to continue their connections outside the chalet. Kelly Mac and Darren stay together, as do Kelle and Rob. David and Christina break things off; Rebecca chooses Connor over Anthony; Crystal refuses to show up at the altar with Stacy, not wanting to have another heartbreak.

Reception

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Naomi Fry wrote in The New Yorker that MILF Manor "might be a new low for reality TV, perhaps even a rock bottom", stating that the show's premise was "only slightly less outlandish than 'MILF Island,' featured on NBC's 30 Rock, back in 2008."[5]

Daniela Neumann, the managing director of the London-based production company behind the idea for the show, said that she does not understand "what all the fuss is about" and that the series is about "female empowerment, erasing the double standard stigma of older women dating younger men, that everyone on the show had a good time, and that every man is someone's son."[49]

The show currently has a 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes,[50] where critics describe it as "psychological torture" and "Freudian Horror".

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Haasch, Palmer. "I watched 'MILF Manor' so you don't have to, but frankly, you have to see it to believe it". Insider. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  2. ^ Holub, Christian (April 1, 2024). "Meet the cast of 'MILF Manor' season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  3. ^ Haasch, Palmer. "Meet the men of MILF Manor season 2, along with season-opening twist details". Insider. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  4. ^ Nelson, Dustin (2024-04-29). "Did 'MILF Manor' Really Trick Contestants With Its Effed-Up Premise?". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  5. ^ a b "The Mother-Lovers of "MILF Manor"". The New Yorker. 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  6. ^ Los Angeles Times Staff (2023-01-27). "'MILF Manor,' explained: We watched TLC's Oedipal fever dream so you don't have to". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  7. ^ "The moms and sons of 'MILF Manor' had to guess each others' deepest sex secrets on episode 2 — here are 5 other wild things that happened". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  8. ^ "MILF Manor Is Back With New Singles –– And New Surprises".
  9. ^ Kang, Kang (April 28, 2024). "MILF Manor Season 2: Meet the Men –– and Their Dads –– Who Are Competing for the Same Women's Hearts (Exclusive)". Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  10. ^ Tyler, Diana (23 January 2023). "Hammonton NJ mother & son hope to find love on the same dating show". 92.7 WOBM. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Longeretta, Emily (2023-01-10). "'Milf Manor' Cast: Meet the Moms Looking for Love on TLC's New Dating Show". Variety. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  12. ^ "Meet the Men of MILF Manor". TLC. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  13. ^ "Meet the Women of MILF Manor".
  14. ^ "Meet the Men of MILF Manor".
  15. ^ "Is Milf Manor the queasiest new dating show on TV?". the Guardian. 2023-01-18. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  16. ^ "MILF Manor Is Back With New Singles –– And New Surprises".
  17. ^ "MILF Manor Is Back With New Singles –– And New Surprises".
  18. ^ "MILF Manor Is Back With New Singles –– And New Surprises".
  19. ^ "MILF Manor Is Back With New Singles –– And New Surprises".
  20. ^ "MILF Manor Is Back With New Singles –– And New Surprises".
  21. ^ "@kellymacmethod: I am that little old lady from #pasadena #california..."
  22. ^ "MILF Manor Is Back With New Singles –– And New Surprises".
  23. ^ Kang, Kang (April 28, 2024). "MILF Manor Season 2: Meet the Men –– and Their Dads –– Who Are Competing for the Same Women's Hearts (Exclusive)". Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  24. ^ Kang, Kang (April 28, 2024). "MILF Manor Season 2: Meet the Men –– and Their Dads –– Who Are Competing for the Same Women's Hearts (Exclusive)". Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  25. ^ Kang, Kang (April 28, 2024). "MILF Manor Season 2: Meet the Men –– and Their Dads –– Who Are Competing for the Same Women's Hearts (Exclusive)". Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  26. ^ Kang, Kang (April 28, 2024). "MILF Manor Season 2: Meet the Men –– and Their Dads –– Who Are Competing for the Same Women's Hearts (Exclusive)". Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  27. ^ Kang, Kang (April 28, 2024). "MILF Manor Season 2: Meet the Men –– and Their Dads –– Who Are Competing for the Same Women's Hearts (Exclusive)". Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  28. ^ Salem, Mitch (January 18, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 1.15.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  29. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 24, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 1.22.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  30. ^ Salem, Mitch (January 31, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 1.29.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  31. ^ Salem, Mitch (February 7, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 2.5.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  32. ^ Salem, Mitch (February 22, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 2.19.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  33. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 28, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 2.26.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 1, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  34. ^ Salem, Mitch (March 7, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 3.5.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  35. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 14, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 3.12.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  36. ^ Salem, Mitch (March 21, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Sunday 3.19.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  37. ^ "TV Ratings for Sunday 28th April 2024 - Network Prelims, Finals and Select Cable Numbers Posted". Spoiler TV. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  38. ^ "TV Ratings for Sunday 5th May 2024 - Network Prelims, Finals and Select Cable Numbers Posted". Spoiler TV. May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  39. ^ "TV Ratings for Sunday 12th May 2024 - Network Finals and Select Cable Numbers Posted". Spoiler TV. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  40. ^ Pucci, Douglas (May 21, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: 'American Idol' on ABC Earns Season-Highs in Total Viewers and Demos with 22nd Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  41. ^ Pucci, Douglas (May 29, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Indianapolis 500 Reaches Three-Year High on NBC". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  42. ^ Pucci, Douglas (June 4, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: TNT Leads Prime Time Demos as Edmonton Oilers' Victory Over Dallas Stars Posts Top Game Six of an NHL Western Conference Final Since '15". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  43. ^ Pucci, Douglas (June 12, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Mavericks-Celtics on ABC Delivers Most-Watched NBA Finals Game 2 Since '19, Dodgers-Yankees Fuels ESPN 'Sunday Night Baseball' to Two-Year High". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  44. ^ Pucci, Douglas (June 18, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: 'House of the Dragon' Second Season Premiere on HBO Highlights Prime Time". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  45. ^ Pucci, Douglas (June 25, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: WNBA Achieves Newest 23-Year Viewer-High with Another Installment of Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky Rivalry on ESPN". Programming Insider. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  46. ^ Pucci, Douglas (July 5, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Women's Gymnastics Boosts U.S. Olympic Trials on NBC to its Most-Watched Telecast in Eight Years, BET Awards Tally 3 Million Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  47. ^ Pucci, Douglas (July 10, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: 'House of the Dragon' Reaches Season-High in Multiplatform Viewers on HBO and Max". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  48. ^ Pucci, Douglas (July 18, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Fox Dominates in Demos with Controversially-Delayed Copa America Final". Programming Insider. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  49. ^ "The story behind 'MILF Manor,' the reality show that seems like a fever dream". Washing Post. 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  50. ^ "MILF Manor - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
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